Academic question - could the perp who attacked the Congressman

Mithridates · January 10, 2011, 10:43 PM

have done as much damage with a knife? I ask because a couple of Democratic reps have come up with a new gun control bill.

egor20 · January 10, 2011, 10:48 PM

Knife-Wielding Man Kills 8 Children at Japanese School
By CALVIN SIMS
Published: June 9, 2001

IKEDA, Japan, June 8— A deranged man armed with a kitchen knife stormed into an elementary school here this morning and began stabbing students and teachers, a murderous rampage that has stirred outrage and soul-searching in this normally safe country. Eight children were killed and at least 15 people wounded.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...55C0A9679C8B63

DoctorXring · January 10, 2011, 11:28 PM

.

You bet. If he was skllled, strong, and determined. But no
doubt a Glock 19 with an extended mag would be more
efficient for most attackers. He has to be within striking
distance for each knife attack.

I will tell you right now that I would rather get shot with a
9mm pistol than get thrust/slashed with a knife. Your chances are
better with the bullet. I came to this conclusion during my
bowhunting days. I was totally amazed at how quick a single
run-through with a broadhead would bring down big game.
With one good knife thrust/slash, you will bleed out very quick.

dxr

.

mes227 · January 10, 2011, 11:50 PM

It takes less skill, less practice and less personal contact to do the same amount of damage with a Glock as with a knife. Stabbing someone is very personal while shooting can be less so. There's also less opportunity for the intended victims to fight back.

mikerault · January 10, 2011, 11:55 PM

Maybe he could have used a pipe bomb instead. That is what the libs don't realize, if someone wants to take someone else out, there are a plethora of means to accomplish this.

MikeG · January 11, 2011, 12:11 AM

If he waded into the crowd slashing and stabbing, he could have wreaked a lot of damage in the ensuing confusion.

Quote:

Maybe he could have used a pipe bomb instead. That is what the libs don't realize, if someone wants to take someone else out, there are a plethora of means to accomplish this.

Or driven a car into the crowd at a high rate of speed.

Anything that has a use has a misuse, and evil will find the misuse.

raimius · January 11, 2011, 02:13 AM

It depends on how athletic and skilled they are.
An untrained person would have a much easier time wrestling away an empty Glock than a bladed weapon. You cannot exactly grab a knife blade safely during a struggle (at least not without massive amounts of luck or serious training).

BlueTrain · January 11, 2011, 06:51 AM

The only problem with all of these comments is that he didn't use a knife, a sword, a pipe bomb, a revolver, or a single shot shotgun. The fact of the matter is, he used the best tool for the job. It's what you'd pick to do the same thing, isn't it?

MLeake · January 11, 2011, 08:17 AM

The best tool? Depends on desired effect. I think McVeigh showed us there are much more effective tools for inflicting massive casualties.

But generally, gun beats knife, axe, bat, or pointed stick.

teeroux · January 11, 2011, 08:37 AM

Quote:

The only problem with all of these comments is that he didn't use a knife, a sword, a pipe bomb, a revolver, or a single shot shotgun. The fact of the matter is, he used the best tool for the job. It's what you'd pick to do the same thing, isn't it?

For an assasination? Mass killing? Not that I would do one but a pistol is a poor choice. Rifles and explosives are much better and you stand a chance of getting away.

The fact he used a pistol high capacity or not shows some of his frame of mind. He didn't care who knew he did it, if he was caught, or if he died.

I think it was an act of power, wrath, and lunacy. I don't think much was calculated in it and if all he had was a knife he would have used it or anything else.

BlueTrain · January 11, 2011, 09:24 AM

I agree with you. All of these threats, rock throwing, burnings and so on are acts of power, wrath and lunacy. Frequently they have the desired effect, too. Frankly, it takes a lot of nerve to be an elected official in this country, when so many are basically saying that violence is acceptable if you don't like the results of the election. You may wish to argue that point. However, of all attempts on the life of the president so far, one rifle was use, the others handguns.

Double Naught Spy · January 11, 2011, 09:29 AM

7 Dead 11 Injured - http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=433_1212927350

Single Six · January 11, 2011, 10:32 AM

Mithridates: A belated welcome to TFL! We all knew that a new gun law would be the liberal reaction to this, but what can you tell us about the specifics on what they're proposing? If you have any info, it's probably best to post in the "Law And Civil Rights" section.

Glenn E. Meyer · January 11, 2011, 10:52 AM

Not a T and T question to discuss gun control. Yes, there are various ways to do evil. Answered.

Closed

January 10, 2011, 10:43 PM	#1
Mithridates Junior Member Join Date: December 25, 2009 Posts: 3	Academic question - could the perp who attacked the Congressman have done as much damage with a knife? I ask because a couple of Democratic reps have come up with a new gun control bill.

January 10, 2011, 10:48 PM	#2
egor20 Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2010 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,824	Knife-Wielding Man Kills 8 Children at Japanese School By CALVIN SIMS Published: June 9, 2001 IKEDA, Japan, June 8— A deranged man armed with a kitchen knife stormed into an elementary school here this morning and began stabbing students and teachers, a murderous rampage that has stirred outrage and soul-searching in this normally safe country. Eight children were killed and at least 15 people wounded. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...55C0A9679C8B63 __________________ Chief stall mucker and grain chef Country don't mean dumb. Steven King. The Stand

January 11, 2011, 06:51 AM	#8
BlueTrain Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 6,141	The only problem with all of these comments is that he didn't use a knife, a sword, a pipe bomb, a revolver, or a single shot shotgun. The fact of the matter is, he used the best tool for the job. It's what you'd pick to do the same thing, isn't it? __________________ Shoot low, sheriff. They're riding Shetlands! Underneath the starry flag, civilize 'em with a Krag, and return us to our own beloved homes! Buy War Bonds.

January 11, 2011, 09:24 AM	#11
BlueTrain Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 6,141	I agree with you. All of these threats, rock throwing, burnings and so on are acts of power, wrath and lunacy. Frequently they have the desired effect, too. Frankly, it takes a lot of nerve to be an elected official in this country, when so many are basically saying that violence is acceptable if you don't like the results of the election. You may wish to argue that point. However, of all attempts on the life of the president so far, one rifle was use, the others handguns. __________________ Shoot low, sheriff. They're riding Shetlands! Underneath the starry flag, civilize 'em with a Krag, and return us to our own beloved homes! Buy War Bonds.

January 11, 2011, 09:29 AM	#12
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,717	7 Dead 11 Injured - http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=433_1212927350 __________________ "If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011 My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange

January 10, 2011, 11:28 PM	#3
DoctorXring Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2002 Location: The Republic of Texas Posts: 392	. You bet. If he was skllled, strong, and determined. But no doubt a Glock 19 with an extended mag would be more efficient for most attackers. He has to be within striking distance for each knife attack. I will tell you right now that I would rather get shot with a 9mm pistol than get thrust/slashed with a knife. Your chances are better with the bullet. I came to this conclusion during my bowhunting days. I was totally amazed at how quick a single run-through with a broadhead would bring down big game. With one good knife thrust/slash, you will bleed out very quick. dxr .

January 10, 2011, 11:50 PM	#4
mes227 Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2010 Location: Incline Village, NV Posts: 535	It takes less skill, less practice and less personal contact to do the same amount of damage with a Glock as with a knife. Stabbing someone is very personal while shooting can be less so. There's also less opportunity for the intended victims to fight back.

January 10, 2011, 11:55 PM	#5
mikerault Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2011 Posts: 109	Maybe he could have used a pipe bomb instead. That is what the libs don't realize, if someone wants to take someone else out, there are a plethora of means to accomplish this.

January 11, 2011, 02:13 AM	#7
raimius Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 2,199	It depends on how athletic and skilled they are. An untrained person would have a much easier time wrestling away an empty Glock than a bladed weapon. You cannot exactly grab a knife blade safely during a struggle (at least not without massive amounts of luck or serious training).

January 11, 2011, 08:17 AM	#9
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	The best tool? Depends on desired effect. I think McVeigh showed us there are much more effective tools for inflicting massive casualties. But generally, gun beats knife, axe, bat, or pointed stick.

January 11, 2011, 10:32 AM	#13
Single Six Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2010 Location: N.C. Posts: 1,522	Mithridates: A belated welcome to TFL! We all knew that a new gun law would be the liberal reaction to this, but what can you tell us about the specifics on what they're proposing? If you have any info, it's probably best to post in the "Law And Civil Rights" section.

January 11, 2011, 10:52 AM	#14
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,064	Not a T and T question to discuss gun control. Yes, there are various ways to do evil. Answered. Closed __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

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